2022/08/15

52. The First Angel (Revelation chapters 15-16)

Let us continue our reflections on the topics discussed in the previous issue. There are seven key passages in the description of John 10, which begins with the parable of the sheepfold. They coincide with the "seven plagues of the seven angels" in the Book of Revelation. The first key passage is where it is written that "there was again a division among the Jews" (John 10:19) over the words spoken by Jesus. People perceive the world as a space with three dimensions. In their memories, various scenes, from their childhood to the present, are preserved without being verified, almost like images randomly cut out. Words, in contrast, have a form of one dimension. Therefore, they are recognised by the senses as information with symbols arranged linearly along a time axis, and they penetrate people's memories like a double-edged sword. Words are not always pleasant because sometimes they compel us to realise that contradictions are in us. And even more so if they tell the truth (cf. this blog № 48). Jesus was not only condemned for breaking the Sabbath but also for saying that God was his Father, making himself equal to God. However, no one could refute him. Jesus' words reveal the contradictions in his accusers. When people find contradictions within themselves, many delude the cause of the contradiction as the fault of external events or others rather than confronting them. Over time, unresolved contradictions accumulate in their memories, causing them great stress, and they eventually flee to the fictional world. In the scene above, some people say: "He has a demon, and he is mad; why listen to him?" (John 10:20). In contrast, others, though still in uncertain understanding, say, "These are not the sayings of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"(John 10:21). And it is written that a division arose within the community. Often, within an old-fashioned community or fellowship in particular, when people belonging to it share certain information, an internal pressure demanding uniform sympathy from its members emerges. If, at this time, some do not respond to the demand and question or object, the conflict that arises sometimes divides the people and leaves sores. This situation is in line with the description in the Book of Revelation: "So the first angel went and poured his bowl on the earth, and foul and evil sores came upon the men who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image" (Revelation 16:2). These evil sores, i.e., the conflict that has arisen there, will eventually break the fictional world, dispel ambiguity and provide the way for those who will be saved.

Maria K. M.

Notice: The following phrase in this blog № 50 has been corrected because of an ambiguity in it.

(Before correction) "The Holy Eucharist looks forward to the cooperation of the faithful so that he can himself die and take with him these tormented wills, who died and remained on earth, and evil spirits, one by one."

(After correction) "The Holy Eucharist awaits the cooperation of the faithful to take with Him, one by one, upon His own death, these tormented wills that had died and remained on earth and the wills of those who were evil spirits (cf. this blog № 49)."